Which place is cheaper, Riga or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Riga can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $52, while the average daily cost in Riga is $112. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zanzibar and Riga in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Riga? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
Prices for flights to both Riga and Zanzibar change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Riga, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Riga is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Riga Expensive?.
Riga has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Riga, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Riga. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Riga. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Riga fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Riga. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Riga receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Riga. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Riga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Riga fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Riga. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Riga receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Riga and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Riga can be very cold. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Riga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Riga averages at about -5°C (23°F).
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Riga. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Riga receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Riga and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Riga. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Riga fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Riga. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Riga receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zanzibar | Riga | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |